Tulsa Pastor Arrested In OKC On Lewdness Charge

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An executive committee member of the Southern Baptist Convention was arrested on a lewdness charge for propositioning a plainclothes policeman outside a hotel, police said.

Lonnie Latham, senior pastor at South Tulsa Baptist Church, was booked into Oklahoma County Jail Tuesday night on a misdemeanor charge of offering to engage in an act of lewdness, police Capt. Jeffrey Becker said. Latham was released on $500 bail Wednesday afternoon.

Latham, who has spoken out against homosexuality, asked the officer to join him in his hotel room for oral sex. Latham was arrested and his 2005 Mercedes automobile was impounded, Becker said.

The arrest took place in the parking lot of the Habana Inn, which is in an area where the public has complained about male prostitutes flagging down cars, Becker said. The plainclothes officers was investigating these complaints.

The lewdness charge carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Latham is one of four Southern Baptist Convention executive committee members from Oklahoma.

He spoke out last year against a measure, ultimately approved by voters, to expand tribal gaming.

He has also spoken out against same-sex marriage and in support of a Southern Baptist Convention directive urging its 42,000 churches to befriend gays and lesbians and try to convince them that they can become heterosexual "if they accept Jesus Christ as their savior and reject their 'sinful, destructive lifestyle."'

The Southern Baptist Convention is the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

If he was set up, I hope his name is cleared.
If he did it, he knew very well what he was doing, and he needs to confess it and repent...not claim to be "pastoring". The "help" he needs can only come after that.

Amen.

And the latest....

From http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5887178/detail.html

Pastor Accused Of Lewdness Resigns From Convention

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Tulsa pastor arrested on suspicion of lewd behavior in Oklahoma City on Tuesday for allegedly propositioning a plainclothes policeman has resigned from a major state religious organization.

Officials said the Rev. Lonnie Latham notified the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma that he was resigning from the BGCO Board of Directors effective immediately.

This resignation follows his recent resignation at the South Tulsa Baptist Church. In his official letter of resignation to the BGCO, he only cited personal reasons for his decision to resign.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent events regarding Lonnie. We continue to be concerned for South Tulsa Baptist Church and the Latham family. We pray Lonnie will find healing and restoration as he seeks help for the issues he faces,” said Heidi B. Wilburn, spokeswoman for the BGCO. “Lonnie’s resignation has been accepted without the BGCO Board of Directors having to take initiative regarding the matter. Lonnie also indicated he has resigned from the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.”

Police said the Rev. Lonnie Latham was arrested Tuesday night in a motel parking lot after soliciting a plainclothes officer who was investigating an area where there have been complaints of male prostitutes.

Latham was a pastor at South Tulsa Baptist Church and had been on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has spoken out in the past against homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

After posting bond, Latham told an Oklahoma City television station that he was set up and was in the area ministering to people.

The media in Tulsa have pretty much buried the story under pressure from--ahem--embarrassed people. But the guy from johntv is not about to let the story die http://www.johntv.com/. A local conservative talkshow host started reporting the updated letter> He said later into the show that he was getting private e-mails and phone calls to stop beating a dead horse. In other words, shut up.

Why? Latham and his congregation have connections. Big connections. And connections get embarrassed. Anyways, here's an update. Latham was guilty afterall but still refuses to publicly apologize to the police.

1/9/06 -- An excerpt from a letter sent from Latham to his former church congregation... "Sandra and I thank you for the love and encouragement you have shown us not only before this incident but also after. Your cards, calls, and e-mails of encouragement, your prayers, and your presence sustain us. We will always love you. Our prayer is for you to continue to be the great ministry you are.”

A member of the Southern Baptist Convention released a statement, which read in part; "In spite of his [Latham's] denials soon after his arrest, he now acknowledges the incident did happen and that he needs help."

I was wrong. But the gay mafia is real and I wouldn't put it past them to set someone up and make it appear as though it was the person who solicited when they really didn't. Especially because of his church position.

That being said, there are hypocrits from all walks of life and he apparently is one. Good thing he knows the One who can help forgive and help him if he truly seeks it.

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